EP #6: Evolving Care for Alzheimer's Patients: A Focus on Comfort Keepers

What if you could better understand the progression of Alzheimer's dementia and be equipped to provide optimal care for your loved ones? Join us in our enlightening dialogue where we unpack the symptoms, stages, and care procedures in relation to this condition. In this episode, we, Kristi Gurule and Jeremy Wolf, explore the gradual progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the paramount importance of early detection and professional aid.

Escalating from occasional memory lapses to more personal care needs, we delve into the roles of Comfort Keepers in providing in-home health support. We explain how our service evolves over time to meet the changing needs of each individual. With quarterly reassessments and daily note taking, we keep families updated and involved in the care process. Expect insights on distinguishing dementia from Alzheimer's, the importance of routine check-ups, and how we handle transitions to more personal care with grace and dignity. Tune in to this episode for an abundance of useful information on Alzheimer's dementia and the care process.

Please visit our website for more information: https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/florida/davie/

or contact: (954) 947-7954

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Welcome to the Comfort Keepers Davy podcast, where we elevate the human spirit. Here's your host, Christy Grulay.

Jeremy: 0:11

Hey guys, welcome to the Comfort Keepers Davy podcast Co-host Jeremy Wolfe, and I'm here with Christy Grulay and Christy. We were just talking about the different stages of Alzheimer's dementia, what folks can do early on and some of what you do from the care side of that. I'd like to progress through this process and move on to the second stage, or the second level here. Once you've determined there's an issue, once you've brought a company such as your own in to help talk a little bit about what that looks like, what people can expect, and then we'll go from there.

Kristi: 0:50

Okay. So one of the biggest things is that when we start care with any of our clients, we describe what this process is going to look like as the months progress. So we will do quarterly reassessments on all of our clients to make sure that what we're performing in the home is still required. Do we need to modify any of those things? And that's where we have incredible caregivers that are in the field doing daily note taking. I have an RN who watches and reads and signs off on every single care log that's done. This is important for families to know because, as your loved one is in our care, if we notice that there is something that needs to be taken care of or something that we need to add to the care plan, we're going to notify you. We want you to be so much involved with what we're doing to help keep your loved one in their home.

Kristi: 1:43

One of the biggest things is when we transition to more personal care is now required. So where we started out with memory care we're playing, we're doing games we're going to still do those things. We've got a routine. We're helping around the house, making sure that they get to appointments. They're not forgetting those things. But now we're getting to the stage where they're really needing help with their showering. They're needing help using the restroom A lot more of those things that they were very independent for and now require extra help.

Kristi: 2:13

We do that. We're there to do it with grace. We know that that's a very prideful thing and very hard to have to say I need help with these, but we're going to do it and being able to ensure that your family member is still safe and secure in the home as this disease progresses. We go from a couple days a week to more, and all of this is tailored to each individual's individuals need and, like I said, everyone progresses differently and should there be like a sudden change, it's never going to be a surprise for us, because we have such great relationships with the qualified individuals that are in your home and great communication with the family. So you don't live in the state, you don't live in town, you can't make it to moms or dads every day. Don't worry, that's what we're there for. We're there to keep you in the loop of everything that we do in the home.

Jeremy: 3:06

Yeah, and it seems like such a gradual process when somebody starts to suffer from something like dementia or Alzheimer's, and it could be so gradual that you oftentimes, I'd imagine, can't really pick it up until it's already become too much of a problem. Is there something that I'd imagine? That if you went into a doctor early on, they run all sorts of cognitive type tests on folks to kind of determine. But is there some, is there some place where the how are they able to ultimately diagnose dementia versus Alzheimer's?

Kristi: 3:44

Sure all at your doctor's level, so I won't over speak what I know, but that's exactly it. There are a lot of cognitive, a lot of cognitive tests that can be done at all stages to truly be able to determine where we're at, what needs to happen on that side and then how in home health can help support what it is that the doctor is saying is the best plan of action for your loved ones overall health.

Jeremy: 4:12

Yeah, because I could see how it could be difficult to distinguish, certainly from from first person, like from if you're suffering from this from. Is it just brain fog, right? Is it just that, or is this more of an issue and that could be certainly an uncomfortable topic to you know to talk about? So I think it just goes back to what we said last last segment, which was taking care of yourself, making sure you get routine checkups. Don't avoid these things.

Kristi: 4:37

Yes, all of those things. And then watching over your loved ones and recommending and encouraging really, that's just it encouraging them to do the exact same thing. And when we come in even if it's just once a week, it's okay it helps that barrier be broken to say that you can receive help from someone else and should that service need to increase over time? Absolutely can.

Jeremy: 5:04

All right, very good. Anything else you'd like to add?

Kristi: 5:09

I think the two people are the same. Really that's it, and I would hate for any loved one, like you said, to just go to the extreme right. There are a lot of different other conditions that can all manifest themselves to appear like dementia or Alzheimer's, or your medical professional that will diagnose that. But whatever that is, we can be there to help aid in the symptoms that you're received, you're you have at home. We can come into at least help alleviate those.

Jeremy: 5:39

All right, sounds good. Christy, we will see you real soon. Take care See you on the next segment.

Speaker 1: 5:47

Thank you for listening to the comfort keepers Davey podcast. For more information, visit comfort keeperscom or call 954-947-7927.